Perhaps the only silver lining to injuries suffered by starters is the valuable playing time backups get in their place. The Rams got a taste of that last year when Puka Nacua was thrust into a starting role while Cooper Kupp was sidelined and this summer, it’s been backup offensive linemen getting increased reps.
With Jonah Jackson, Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein all sidelined, players such as Logan Bruss, Zach Thomas and Warren McClendon Jr. have gotten more first-team snaps in practice. That has seemingly translated to better play in the preseason because of the Rams’ offensive line has been dominant thus far.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams’ pass-blocking grade of 80.8 is the third-best in the NFL. Their run-blocking grade of 71.6 ranks fourth among all teams, showing what a well-rounded unit it’s been.
Digging deeper into the numbers, it’s hard to believe just how good the Rams’ big men up front have been in pass protection. In total, the Rams’ linemen have allowed a total of four pressures on 74 total drop-backs by Stetson Bennett.
They have yet to allow a single hit on Bennett, nor have they been the reason for any of the six sacks he’s taken. The four total pressures have been allowed by A.J. Arcuri (2), Conor McDermott (1) and Logan Bruss (1).
Of course, the linemen who are playing this preseason won’t be starters for the Rams during the regular season – barring an injury, of course. However, it’s encouraging to see such impressive play from the backups, who have been going up against first-team defenses at times this preseason, too.
The Rams should feel good about the depth they’ve accumulated on the O-line, especially knowing they’ve already suffered a few blows to their starting unit.